And," I said, plunging headlong at my chief object in coming, "my reasons stand there," and I pointed to Carette, who jumped at the suddenness of it, and coloured finely, and bit her lip, and sped away on some household duty which she had not thought of till that moment.
Monsieur Le Marchant smiled, and the two young men laughed out.
"Ma foi!" said the old man.

"You are frank, mon gars." "It is best so.

I wanted you to know, and I wanted Carette to know, though I think she has known it always.

I have never thought of any but Carette, and as soon as I am able I will ask her to marry me." "Whether I have other views for her or not ?" said her father.
"No other could possibly love Carette as I do,"-- at which he smiled briefly and the others grinned.

"I have only one wish in life, and that is to care for her and make her happy." "That is for the future, so we need not talk about it now.